Steam-condenser and the like



A. E. L. SCANES. STEAM CONDENSER AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 18. 1918.

1,35 i P emzeq Nov. 9, 1920.

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UNITED STATES rArENT-oFFlcE.

na'rnun EDWIN.LEIGH scenes, or. iaSI-ITDN-ON-IMEBSEY,

ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE BRITISH WESTINGHOUSE AND MANUFACTURING, COMPANY LIM- ITED A. COMPANY ORGANIZED UNDER DAVIS 03? GREATBRITAIINT.

srnAlyr-oonnnnsnn AND THELIKE.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, ARTHUR EDWIN LEIGH SoaNns, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of AshtononMersey, in the county of Chester, England, have invented a new and useful Improvement in or Relating to Steam-Condensers and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to surface condensers such as are. employed for condensing steam or other vapors from turbines, engines, evaporators and the like. Condensers of this kind commonly comprise a shell to the ends of which are attached plates into which the tubes forming the cooling surface are secured by any suitable means.

When these plates, which are commonly known as tube-plates, are of any considerable area, it is necessary that they should be braced or stayed to prevent distortion. A usual method of accomplishing this is by means of internal stays which are located in the nests of tubes. An objection to this method is that as the stays have to be of considerable length and are in compression under working conditions, due to the pressure of the cooling medium on the outside of the plates, they have to be of substantial section and consequently take up valuable space in the condenser. An alternative method which has also been commonly employed is to support the tube-plates by means of tension stays from the condenser end covers. This is a better arrangement than thefirst as the stays can be of considerably smaller section. There is, however, the disadvantage that when the end covers are removed for any purpose such as examining the tube-plates, it is necessary to disconnect all the stays.

'According to this invention instead of attaching tension stays to the end covers, I provide within the main cover a separate skeleton cover or grid to which the tension stays are secured. This skeleton cover or grid may be fastened to the condenser body by means of collar bolts, and will not be disturbed by the removal of the end covers.

In an alternative construction, where one or more water boxes are employed between the condenser tube-plates and the end cov Patented ov.,9, 1920.

App1ication filed February 18, 1918;Serial No. 217,938.

ers, I combine the grid and thewater box into one piece.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 and 2 are respectively an end view and a sec tional 'view showing a portion of a surface condenser with the skeleton cover or grid for maintaining the tube-plates in position. Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the skeleton cover or grid combined into one structure with a water box of the condenser.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the shell of the condenser is indicated at 4 and the tubeplate at 5. The skeleton cover or grid is shown at 6 and extends over the whole area of the tube-plate,,the latter, as well as the grid 6, being attached to the usual flange 7 on the end of the condenser shell. The end cover 8 for the condenser is also bolted to the flange 7 soas to be capable of removal Without disturbing the cover or grid 6. The tension stays 9, attached to the tube-plate 5, pass through the grid 6 to which they are secured by bolts in any convenient manner, and thus hold the tube-plate against distortion.

In Fig. 3 the grid or cover 6 is combined in one structure with the water box 10 of the condenser.

By suitably shaping the grid 6 the condenser tubesmay readily be cleaned without disturbing any of the stays 9 connecting the tubesplate to the grid. In Fig. 1 a simple form of a skeleton grid which be employed is shown, but as will be readily understood the grid may assume various forms depending upon the position and arrangement of the condenser tubes in order that free access to the latter for cleaning pur' v against said condenser and to be detached therefrom Without affecting said securing means. 3. In combination with tube plate therefor, staybolts for said plate 5 and a skeleton cover or grid tolwhich mid stay-bolts are attached which is adapted to permit the passage of condensing Water therethrough.

4. In a condenser, a tube plate, steybolts 10 for maintaining the position of said plate, a grid to which said staybolts aresecured and a condenser and which is adapted to permit the passage of condensing Water therethrough, and a cover for said plate, staybolts and grid adapted to fit and seal the end of the condenser and to be removed therefrom Without disturbing said grid, steyboits or tube plate.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this fourth day of January,

I ARTHUR EDWIN LEIGH SCANES. 

